Drivers’ racing led to boy’s death, Everett police say

EVERETT — Detectives now believe two strangers were racing each other on Evergreen Way last October when they caused a crash that killed a 7-year-old boy.

The boy was riding in the front seat of his father’s BMW while the man allegedly was racing another BMW, according to police. The cars collided, and the boy’s father’s car landed in front of oncoming traffic. It was broadsided by a minivan. Second-grader Josiah A. Alves died at the scene.

Detectives are recommending criminal charges against all three drivers in the Oct. 30, 2012, accident, Everett police spokesman Aaron Snell said Thursday. The case was forwarded to prosecutors for review earlier this week.

Police believe the two BMW drivers were southbound on Evergreen Way when they decided to race, Snell said. Josiah’s father, 30, of Everett, was driving a black BMW with his son in the front seat. The second car was a silver BMW driven by a 27-year-old Clinton man.

The two men sped off from the intersection at 75th Street SE, Snell said. Witnesses said they were going about 60 mph in a 35 mph zone, according to a search warrant filed in the case.

“The driver of the black BMW made some lane changes and ultimately collided with the silver BMW,” Snell said. “That collision actually spun him into the northbound lanes.”

In less than a second, a minivan coming from the other direction collided with the black BMW. The minivan driver suffered broken ribs and other injuries.

The boy’s father tested positive for marijuana use, Snell said. Officers said he appeared to be under the influence at the scene.

Also, the Marysville woman who was driving the minivan could face a charge of driving under the influence, Snell said. Results of a blood alcohol test on the 75-year-old showed her over the legal limit, at .081, according to police reports. The state limit to drive is .08.